9-Day Kilimanjaro Trek and Safari
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Overview
This 9-day Kilimanjaro trek and safari package combines two of Tanzania’s most iconic experiences: summiting Africa’s highest mountain and exploring world-renowned wildlife reserves.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route to Uhuru Peak, then continue your journey with a classic Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari.
This itinerary is ideal for adventurous travelers who want both high-altitude achievement and unforgettable wildlife encounters in one seamless trip.
Ideal for: Adventure lovers who want to combine a safari with mountain trekking.
Highlights:
Summit Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters
Trek the popular Marangu Route
Explore Serengeti National Park
Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
Experience Tanzania’s mountain and savannah landscapes in one journey
📌 Best time to visit: January – March & June – October for best trekking conditions.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi
A representative will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Moshi is a small, relaxed town sitting at the base of Kilimanjaro. On a clear evening you may catch a view of the mountain from town. Your trek begins the following morning.
Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel or similar mid-range hotel in Moshi.
Meals plan: No meals.
Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
After breakfast, we drive to Marangu Gate at 1,860 metres, where you complete registration and meet your mountain crew. The trek to Mandara Hut covers about 8 kilometres through montane rainforest and takes roughly 3 to 4 hours.
The forest section is one of the most pleasant parts of the Marangu Route. The canopy is dense, the air is cool and humid, and colobus monkeys are sometimes seen in the trees overhead. Mandara Hut sits at 2,700 metres and has dormitory style accommodation with basic facilities.
Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut – Mountain Ascent
Today’s hike covers about 11 kilometres and takes 5 to 7 hours, climbing from 2,700 metres to Horombo Hut at 3,720 metres.
The vegetation changes noticeably as you leave the forest behind and enter open moorland. Giant heather and senecio plants line the trail, and on a clear day the summit of Kibo becomes visible ahead if the sky is clear. The walking is steady rather than steep, but the altitude begins to make itself felt. Take your time and drink plenty of water.
Day 4: Acclimitization Day
This day is built into the itinerary to help your body adjust to the altitude before going higher. Spending an extra night at Horombo significantly improves your chances of a successful summit.
In the morning we hike up toward Zebra Rocks, a distinctive geological feature about two hours above camp, then return to Horombo for lunch. The afternoon is for resting. Eat well, hydrate, and sleep as much as you can.
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
The trek today crosses the Saddle, a wide flat plateau between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, covering about 10 kilometres in 6 to 8 hours. You arrive at Kibo Hut at 4,703 metres.
The Saddle is stark and open, with very little vegetation. The altitude here is noticeable and the pace slows accordingly. Kibo Hut is a stone structure and the last stop before the summit. Dinner is served early and you are encouraged to sleep as much as possible before the midnight start.
Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
The climb to Uhuru Peak begins around midnight. Starting in darkness gives your body time to reach the summit around sunrise and allows for a safer descent during daylight.
The route from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak covers about 6 kilometres and gains nearly 1,200 metres of altitude. It is the hardest section of the entire trek. The path is steep scree, the air is thin, and the cold at that elevation is significant. Your guide and crew will set a slow and steady pace. Many climbers find this section mentally as much as physically demanding.
Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 metres. It is the highest point in Africa. From the summit you take in the glaciers, the crater rim, and on a clear morning, the plains of Tanzania far below.
After the summit, you descend all the way back to Horombo Hut, a total descent of about 16 kilometres. It is a long day but the sense of achievement carries you through.
Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate, then Drive to Arusha
The final day on the mountain covers about 19 kilometres back down to Marangu Gate at 1,860 metres, taking 5 to 7 hours. The descent through the forest feels very different on the way down, the air thicker and the sounds of the forest returning as you lose altitude.
At the gate you collect your summit certificate, then transfer to Arusha for a well earned rest.
Overnight: Parrot Hotel Arusha or similar mid-range hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 8: Arusha to Tarangire National Park overnight Karatu
After a rest day in Arusha, the safari begins. We drive about 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive.
Coming from the mountain, the wide open savannah and warm air of Tarangire feel like a different world. The park is known for its large elephant herds and the ancient baobab trees that scatter across the landscape. Lions, giraffes, zebra, and buffalo are also commonly encountered. We have a picnic lunch inside the park, then drive to Karatu for the evening.
Overnight: Bouganivillea Safari Lodge or similar mid-range lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and transfer to Airport/Back to Arusha
We make an early start and drive about 30 to 45 minutes to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, then descend into the caldera for a morning game drive.
The crater floor covers about 260 square kilometres and supports a wide variety of wildlife within its walls. Black rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, and hippo all live here, and the enclosed landscape makes every drive feel different. After a picnic lunch at a scenic spot inside the crater, we ascend and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon for your onward departure or final overnight.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Difficulty Level
The Kilimanjaro climb via Marangu Route is considered moderate but physically demanding due to altitude. Proper acclimatization and preparation are essential.
Safari portion is relaxed and conducted in comfortable 4×4 vehicles.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation: In Moshi, on Kilimanjaro and in Arusha as specified.
- Meals: All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) on trek and safari, prepared by cooks.
- Transportation: Private safari vehicle with driver/guide, transfers to/from Kilimanjaro gate and Arusha.
- Activities: 6-day Kilimanjaro trek Marangu Route, private game drives in Taramgore and Ngorongoro.
- Support: Kilimanjaro guides, porters, cook; safari guide.
- Fees: National park entry fees, Kilimanjaro park and hut/camping fees.
- Safety: First aid kit, pulse oximeter on Kilimanjaro.
Excluded:
- International Flights: Airfare to/from Tanzania.
- Travel Insurance: Personal travel and medical insurance (mandatory for Kilimanjaro).
- Visas: Tanzanian visa fees.
- Gear: Personal climbing gear (e.g., sleeping bag, trekking poles rentals available).
- Beverages: Alcoholic drinks, bottled water (boiled water provided on trek).
- Gratuities: Tips for guides, porters, and staff.
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, additional nights, or upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do I need to be for this Kilimanjaro and safari package?
No technical climbing experience is required. Kilimanjaro is a trekking peak, not a technical mountaineering climb.
Do I need prior climbing experience?
No technical climbing experience is required. Kilimanjaro is a trekking peak, not a technical mountaineering climb.
What wildlife will we see in Serengeti?
In Serengeti National Park, you may see lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest.
Is altitude sickness a concern?
Altitude affects each climber differently. Proper pacing, hydration, and guidance from experienced mountain staff reduce risks significantly.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes. Additional safari days or a Zanzibar beach extension can be added after the safari portion.
Can beginners climb Kilimanjaro?
Yes. Kilimanjaro is a trekking peak and does not require ropes or technical mountaineering skills. However, altitude makes it physically demanding, and preparation is important.
